Prepayment apparatus for telephone calls



y 1954 R. FASSER ET AL 8 PREFAYMENT APPARATUS",FOR TELEPHONE CALLS Filed Jan. 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fly! fio/f F 2 5)?! Mar 0 Me/on 27, 1954 R. FAssER ET AL 2,634,993

PREPAYMENT APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE CALLS 'Filed Jan. 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 27, 1954 I R. FASSER ET AL 98 PREPAYMENT APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE CALLS Filed Jan. 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 11a 11a\ 12/ f 1/9 V122 11a 76 l l A Patented July 27, 1954 PREPAYMENT APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE CALLS Rolf Fasser, Neuhausen, and Mario Meloni,

Geneva, Switzerland, assignors toSodcco-Socicte des (lompteurs de Geneve, Geneva, Swit zerland; a firm of Switzerland Application January 11, 1952, Serial No. 266,068

Claims priority, application Switzerland January 15,1951

13 Claims. 1

Prepayment apparatuses for telephone calls are already known, wherein it is necessary to insert a slug or coin, the value of which corresponds to the charge for a three-minute call, before dialling. After three minutes, there appears a signal inthe listener and it is necessary to insert coins to an amount corresponding to the'chargeowing for the next threeminutes, failing which the connection is cut ofi. Such prepayment apparatuses have been developed more particularly for automatic telephone systems, wherein the charges are defined in units corresponding toe three-, minute conversation. To this end, the conversation is divided into intervals of threeminutes each; and at the beginning of each interval, av

conversation-meter, associated with the calling station, at the exchange, produces a series of impulses, the number-of impulses corresponding to the tarifi area with which the connection has been established.

This-manner of reckoning the charges is obviously somewhat rough, inasmuch as a conversation lasting say 3.1 minutes costs doubletheprice o'f a conversationlasting 2.9 minutes. tradistincticn, a conversation lasting 5.9 minutes. costs exactly as much-as a conversation lasting 3.1 minutes.

However, there has also been proposed recently another-method for defining the scale of charges inautomatic telephone systems, said method consisting in calculating the charge no longer by means of aseries of impulsesfor every conversation ofthree minutes, but through the agency of single impulses produced at a predetermined rhythm.

According to the tariii area with which the connection is established, the separate impulses are, transmitted at more or less long time intervals so that a much more gradual definition ofthecharge is obtained than in the case of the first method referred to. This advantage of progressively increasing charges is, however, cut out when associated with a standard paying apparatus asit is necessary to introduce each time money in amounts corresponding to a period. ofthree minutes and consequently, in the case of a conversation lasting say 3.1 minutes, it is necessary to pay as much as for 5.9 minutes. Inorder to obtain a more gradual progression of the charge, it would be necessary to reduce the unity time from 3 minutes to say 1 minute. This is, however, not practical, asit would be necessary tovintroduce, at. theend of every minute, one or several coins...

The, present invention has .for, its object a. pre- In con- 2. payment apparatusfor automatic telephone ystems, wherein the single impulses may be-transmitted atvarying-intervals according to the tariffarea to be considered. It permits thus graduating the actual payment in accordance with this.

kind of charge-reckoning, the'graduation being as accurate as allowed by the valueof the coins used; The inventionis characterized by the-fact that there are provided means collecting the coinsand refunding any-amountof money. beyond that corresponding to the charge, so as to allow the introduction, at; the; beginning of the conversation, of a substantially largesurn V, into the apparatus that refunds, at the end of the conversa-. tion, the remaining, money G constituted by the difference between the amount-V introduced and the actually spent amount Sowing. as acharge for the conversation, rounded up tothe nearest, amount obtainable with the coins introduced into the apparatus. always true:

The. following equation remains G=VS Gzcredit to the caller V=provision constituted by the total introduced,

szamouni; owing (corresponding to the actual duration of the conversation).

At theend of the conversation, the credit G, as reckoned at this, moment, is reiunded to the caller.

This requirementis easily fulfilled whenthe. payment apparatusis adapted to reecive only one kind of coins. When introducing a provision of say eight tenecent coins to make up so cents, While the charge to bepaid for the conversion S is only 45 cents, the amount retured is G=35 cents. In this case, there are returned, at the endcf the conversation, three Lil-cent coins, and

the amount G to be returned is rounded up to the nearest amount that may be, formed within the, case considered, it is lO-cent coins; rounded up to 30 cents, instead of 35 cents.

In the present case, there are returned with the invention, to first pay back as many coins of the larger type i as may be comprised in the amount to be refunded and then to refund from the remaining credit R1 as many coins of the second type as comprised in R1. There remains at the end of this operation an unpaid non-returned money Rn that is smaller than the smallest type of coin Mn. This leads to the following equation:

By way of exemplification, we will now disclose an operation carried out with three different kinds of coins.

The prepayment provision V comprises four 25-cent coins plus two ten-cent coins plus three -cent coins:

Charge owing 8:68 cents.

Amount to be refunded G=67 cents.

There are first returned from the total amount to be paid back G=67 cents, as many 25-cent coins as possible, i. e. 2 25 50 cents, so that there remains R1=17 cents. From this remainder 12:1? cents, there is again returned one -cent piece with a remainder 222:7 cents; from this latter remainder is again returned a 5-cent coin, so that the final remainder R3=Rn=2 cents, which latter cannot be paid back.

We have illustrated in accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 1 is a general diagram of the apparatus supposed to be provided for the introduction of 10-cent and 25-cent coins;

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the control switches controlled in their turn by the amount owing and by the amount to be returned which are recorded inside the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of the connections between the motors, the relay and the switches of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a device controlled by the recurrent impulses transmitted by the exchange.

Fig. 5 is a section of a detail through line V-V of F18. l.

The apparatus illustrated includes principally the following six units, to wit: the coin-receiving mechanism 5, the hook-controlled switch with the telephone mouth-piece 2, the money collecting and returning mechanism 3, the mechanism 5 metering the charge-impulses, the indicator 5 recording the amounts owed and to be paid back and the means t1 returning the change and cash ing the amounts due.

In the inoperative position of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, the coin introduction slots l and 8 are locked, the telephone handset 35 is suspended to its hook and the coin-guiding flap m3 is set in the position illustrated while the indicator ill or" the money to be refunded is at zero.

If it is desired to call up a subscriber, it is necessary to lift the handset from its book 36 so that the spring 2? may pull the hook 323 upwardly.

Consequently, the rod it! rigid with the hook urges the lever 3d the direction of the arrow 39 and the two pusher members 32 and 33 rigid with said lever close the output channels as and Si provided in the corresponding plates 2 and 25 carrying the coin collecting plates 28 and 2! respectively, that are described hereinafter.

The rotation of the spindle 41 forming the pivot of the hook 3-3 is also transmitted to the control plate at through the worm wheels 32, the spindle 33, the bevel pinions M, the spindle 45, the sprocket wheels it and finally the hollow spindle ll carrying the plate it. This urges the projection iii] forming on said plate alt an abutment for the stud 55 rotating in synchronism with the indicator El, from its zero position into a position corresponding e. g. to a rotation of said indicator 9? showing the money to be returned to a value of say 10 cts. The indicator can therefore, during the conversation, show an amount owing as high 10 cts.

When the handset 35 is raised, the switch system 39 is also controlled by reason of its actuation by the tip 38 of the hook t6. ihis provides current for the locking relay 9 which draws the bolts Hi and H back so as to release the coin introduction slots '1' and 8.

This control of the locking relay 8 is obtained as illustrated in Fig. 3, through the closing of the circuit:

Battery neutral point-operative switch 39 swtich Eiilocking relay 8 and return to the negative pole of the battery,

The calling operator may then insert his money, e. g. he introduces a coin of 10 cents, which latter drops through the channel M (Fig.

1) into the coin-checking device It, which sorts and rejects in the well-known manner the spurious coins. If the coins are genuine, they drop further through the channel 18 into an underlying radial slit of the coin collecting plate 2!] and are held on the pusher member 32 engaging an opening in the underlying plate 24% through which the slot in the plate 2!! registers with the chute liit. This allows the coin to engage the switch 26 providing for continuation of the operation through the closing of the following circuit (Pig. 3)

Battery neutral point-operative switch 39 switch 2\irnotor 61 and brake controlling electro-magnet 630perative switch 33 return to the positive pole of the battery.

Consequently, the electro-magnet 63 (Fig. 1)

attracts the brake 6! which releases the braking drum 59 and simultaneously the motor 57 be-' gins running. The rotation of the latter is transferred through the spindle 65 and the worm gear 57 to the spindle 5| controlling the coin collecting plate 20 that begins revolving in the direction of the arrow 22. Thus, the coin is carried round with the collecting plate 20 and the switch 28 opens again. The motor 8'! and the braking magnet 53 remain, however, energized as the cam plate t3 revolves with the spindle SI and closes the switch system 55 before the switch 25 is reopened as described.

The switch 55 closes, therefore, the following branch circuit holding the motor and electromagnet in their energized conditions, as illustrated in Fig. 3:

Battery neutral point-switch 55 -motor ST.

and brake-operating electro-magnet 53-operative switch 39 and return to the positive pole of the battery.

After the cam plate 53 has executed its rotary movement by a predetermined angle, the switch 5d opens again and breaks the above described circuit feeding the motor El and the electro-inagnet 63. The brake E! locks immediately the spindle 55 of the motor 5'! so that the spindle 5i and the coin-collecting plate 20 remain in the position they are occupying transiently. The lO-cent coin is, therefore, shifted exactly by one subdivision or slit interval of the coin-collecting plate 20 in the direction'of the arrow 22 and is held up in the position reached by it. At the same time, there is again an empty slit registering with the lower end of the coinfeeding channel I8 and with the pusher member 32.

The ill-cent coin is now located exactly in register with the lower part of the switch 28 which is thereby operated and this closing of the switch 23 prepares for subsequent energization of the relay 3% and also for subsequent showing, in the case of a possible refund of coins, that at least one -cent coin has been actually introduced into the apparatus.

The angular shifting of the spindle iiI by one step is transmitted simultaneously to the refundm-oney indicator at 9? through the following gears and spindles:

Bevel gears Kit-spindle ll-difierential gear l3.spindle Mdifferential gear IE-spindle 'I'Ipawl B2-ratchet wheel 841 and spindle 85 carrying the indicator 97.

The gear ratios are selected in a manner such that the indicator 9? may rotate starting from zero by an angle giving out directly the value of the coins introduced into the apparatus; in the case illustrated, this angular movement corresponds to 10 cents.

The rotation of the spindle it provides also for the rotation of the cam plates 8?, 89, 9!, 93 and 95 while the switches 88, so, 92, ti t and 96 controlled thereby assume the position illustrated in Fig. 2 corresponding to a credit value by an amount of lO-cents. The switch 88 is closed and connects the payment apparatus with the subscribers line. As a matter of fact, the reriods of closing of these switches plotted against values of coins introduced into the apparatus are shown in black, the switches 94 and 96 being shifted between two positions of operation.

The introduction of a 25-cent coin is performed in a similar manner i. c. after intro-duction of such a coin, the coin-collecting plate 2! (Fig. 1) rotates by one subdivision corresponding to the interval between two slits in the plate in the direction of the arrow 23 and the coin held therein controls the Switch 29 in a manner similar to the procedure following the introduction of a IO-cent coin. The rotary movement of the collecting plate 2! is transferred through the following gears and spindles to the indicator 91: spindle 52-bevel pinions '!0spindle 'i2differential gear 73-spind1e i l-differential gear -pawl 82-ratchet wheel 84and spindle 86 as precedingly.

The gear ratios are again selected in a manner such that the rotation of the collecting plate 2I by one slit interval corresponds to the rotation of the indicator 9! by an amount corresponding to a value of cents.

After introduction of any desired amount corresponding to one or more 10 and/or 25-cent coins, it is possible to begin dialling.

When the called subscriber has answered, exchange transmits recurrent tax impulses at predetermined time intervals over the subscribers line; these impulses reach the charge impulse relay I8 which provides for the angular rotation of the spindle it by a predetermined angle for each impulse. This partial rotation can be transferred to the indicator 9'! in the direction of arrow 83 owing to a helical spring 98 urging the spindle 86 in the said direction 83, whereby the ratchet wheel as is urged into a rotary motion against the pawl 82, thus urging the spindle '11 of the differential gear 15 to revolve in a nega-' tive direction when spindle T4 is stopped. The differential gear I5 is built up in such a manner that the spindle l6 controlled by the charge impulse relay 78 is submitted to a torque the direction of which is shown by the arrow IIEl (Fig. 4), through the action of the spring 98. On the spindle it are fastened two discs III and H2, each of which carrying five parallel pins at equal angular intervals. The pins H5, H6, ill, H8 and II 9 of disc III are staggered with respect to the pins I2t, I2I, I22, I23 and I24 of disc II2 (see Fig. 5) by 10 of a complete revolution. A lever I 53 secured to and controlled by the armature H4 is engaged by pin N5 of disc III and prevents the spindle It from revolving in the direction of arrow HQ. The electromagnet !25-- I25 is fed by the recurrent tax impulses. These impulses are transmitted from the exchange to the prepayment station by means of an energizing circuit comprising a reactance coil I21 provided with a medial tapping I49, and two condensers I28, 528 connected in a known manner to the subscribers line a, b. The winding I26 of the electromagnet I26-221' is connected to the medial tapping I40 and to the ground. At each impulsion, the armature H4 is given an osccillatory movement illustrated by the arrows I31) and I3I. When the armature moves in the direction of arrow I39, the lever H3 releases pin H5 and the spindle H5 starts to turn in the direction of arrow IIil until the pin I22 of disc H2 comes into engagement with the lever II3. At the end of the impulsion, the armature 4 I4 is pulled back to its resting position, as shown, by turning in the direction of the arrow I3I. The lever II3 reeases pin I22 and the spindle l6 revolves again according to the arrow H0 until the pin IE6 of the disc I i I is stopped by the lever I I3. On this manner, the spindle is revolves A; of a revolution for each recurrent impulse. The gear ratio is selected in a manner such that the refund money indicator is turned back for each charge impulse by a corresponding amount of say five cents, said rotation being performed in the direction of the arrow 33. At each input of a charge impulse, the corresponding charge relay it closes also its switch 79 whereby the relay 80 is energized through the closing of the following circuit (Fig. 3)

Battery neutral point-c1osed switch i9-contact piece 8I relay 8t-return to the negative pole of the battery.

The relay to closes then its switches 8i and the elementary switch BI ensures now its selfenergization through the following circuit:

Battery neutral point-closed switches 26 and ES -operative switch 8I relay 8li-return to the negative pole of the battery.

During conversation, it is possible to introduce further amounts of money as often as may be desired. The cam plate 89 (Fig. 1) cooperates with the switch Si] in a manner such that the locking relay 9 becomes inoperative and allows the coin input slots 7 and 8 to close before the return money indicator 9! and therewith the cam plat-es 87, 89, til, 93 and 95 have executed a complete revolution, said revolution corresponding to an amount of of say cents as in the case illustrated in Fig. 2. This closing is only released when, after further charge impulses have entered the apparatus, the spindle 86 (Fig; 1) ha-sbeen returned 'suificiently far for 7 the switch 99 to bring the locking relay 9 back into its operative energized condition.

However if, during the conversation, the amount of money to be refunded has been wiped out by the recurrent charge impulses, this is made apparent to the caller by the fact that the indicator 9? has been brought back to zero and has closed the switch 92 (Fig. 2) and controls a warning device that need not be disclosed with any further detail, as it does not form part of the invention, said device showing the caller that the money he has inserted into the apparatus is used up and that he must now introduce more money. If he does not proceed with such an introduction, the warning device cuts the connection automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed.

When the subscriber hooks his handset back after the end of the conversation and if there is still some credit balance to be refunded, the amount of which is larger than the value of the smallest coin introduced into the apparatus, such a refunding is performed. When two sorts of coins, in the present case lO-cent coins and 25-cent coins, have been introduced, there are first refunded as many Zia-cent coins as possible and then the remainder in the form of ill-cent coins.

If, however, only one type of coin has been insertcd, only this type of coin can be refunded.

The rocking of the hook and of its spindle i! produced through the hooking of the handset 35 (Fig. 1) controls through the successive gears 32, 3% and 46, a further rotation of the plate 48 whereby the stop 69 returns the stud 59 into the position corresponding to zero on the indicator 9?.

According to the location of the cam plate 33 at the moment of the engagement of the telephone handset 35 on its hook, the position of the switch 95 shows whether the amount to be re turned is more or less than 18 cents and similarly, the position of the switch 93 shows whether the said amount is larger or smaller than 25 cents (see Fig. 2). Further, the state of errorgization of the switch 28 (Fig. 1) shows whether at least one ill-cent coin has been introduced or not, as the last iii-cent coin introduced is shifted by one step after the rotation of the coin-collecting plate 2%, so as to come exactly into register with the switch 28 and to control the operation of the latter. Similarly thereto, the switch 29 shows whether a 25-cent coin has been introduced or not.

Supposing the calling party has inserted both iii-cent and. 25-cent coins and has to his credit at the end of conversation 65 cents; then this amount is refunded to him in the following manner: when suspending the handset 35 on its hook, the pusher members 32 and 33 return into their original positions and release the output channeis 3i} and 3!. Further, the tip 38 of the hook 535 releases again the switch system 39 that returns into its inoperative position. This being done, the switch (Fig. 3) prepares the circuit for the rotation of the motors 5'! and 68 in a, direction opposed to that assumed by them precedingly while the switch all starts the motor through the closing of the following circuit:

Battery neutral point-shifted switch 39- operative switch operative switch 29 motor 53 and brake-operating electromagnet 6roversed switch 59 and return to the negative pole of the battery.

} Consequently, the brake 52 (Fig. 1) is released and allows the motor 58 to start and make the coin-collecting plate 2! rotate in a manner described in a direction opposed to the arrow 23. After a short angular movement, the coin-collecting plate 25 has shifted the 25-cent coin away from its contact with the lower part of the switch is so that the latter is allowed to return into its inoperative position. The motor =58 and the brake-controlling electromagnet 6 remain, however, energlaed as, slightly before this, the cam plate 5e. on the spindle 52 which provides the angular shifting of the coin-collecting plate by one complete slot interval, has actuated the switch 52?, which latter closes the following circuit (Fig. 3)

Battery neutral pointclosed switch 56 motor as and brake-controlling electromagnet lid-switch 3$ and return to the negative pole oi the battery.

The rotary coin-collecting plate 2| (Fig. 1) transfers the 25-cent coin into register with the output channel 3i into which it drops and reaches through the chute ii'il the money-returning cupshaped member We.

This return movement or" the spindle 52 is transmitted through the bevel wheels 10, the differential gears and it, the pawl 32 and the ratchet wheel 8 to the spindle 86. At the same time, the cam plates to do and the indicator 9? revolve by an angle corresponding to the value of a Z5-cent coin. ihe credit is now reduced by 25 cuts to ec-25=ec cents, and now a further 2 cent coin should be refunded.

Although, after rotation of the coin-collecting plate 26 by one subdivision, the switch as returns again into its inoperative position and opens the last described circuit, the motor 38 and the brakecontrolling eiectromagnet 6 1 still remain operative, as in the meantime a coin has again reached the SWlllCh and has again provided for its closing. Now, as shown in Fig. 2, the switch 96 remains still energized for a value of 40 cents; the circuit first described for the return of money is closed and the coin-collecting plate 2! (Fig. 1) moving in the return direction provides, as in the case of the first coin, for the return of a second 25-cent coin into the money-returning cupshaped member ltd. Thus, the indicator 9? will enter a position corresponding to l025=l5 cents. It is, therefore, necessary for the apparatus to refund a lS-cent coin now. In the case of this credit of 15 cents, the switch so is still in its inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2, while the switch St is still in its operative position. The switch as has thereby prepared the closing of the circuit providing for the refunding of a 10-cent coin.

After the second 25-cent coin has dropped into the cup-shaped member see (Fig. 1) through the money is returned, the spindle 52 continues rotating until the cam plate St has returned the switch system 55 into its inoperative position and consequently the coin-collecting plate 2% has finished its angular shifting by a second slit interval.

The actuation of the switch 55 (Fig. 3) that assumes its inoperative position, breaks the energizing circuit for the motor 68 and the brakecontrolling electromagnet E l, whereby the motor 68 is braked and brought to a standstill. In contradistinction, the switch 56 starts the motor 61 through closing of the following circuit:

Battery neutral pointclosed switch 39-- .9 switch 96sWitch NF -operative switch S t-mp erative switch 28 motor 6'! and brake-controlling electromagnet 63switch 3ii return to the negative pole of the battery.

In a manner similar to the return of the 25- cent coins, the coin collecting plate 28 begins revolving in the direction opposed to the arrow 22 (Fig. 1). As soon the the iii-cent coin held underneath the switch 28 has moved away from the latter, said switch opens and breaks the above described circuit at 28 The motor 6? and the electromagnet 63 remain, however, energized as in the meantime, the cam plate 53 on the spindle 5| has actuated the switch system 5'5 so that the following circuit is closed, as shown in Fig. 3:

Battery neutral point-switch 55 motor 6? and brake-energizing electromagnet 63-switch 39 -and return to the negative pole of the battery.

The coin-collecting plate 26 (Fig. 1) continues therefore revolving so that the Ill-cent coin comes nearer the outlet slot 38 underneath said plate 23 and, consequently, the coin drops into the chute its and slides over the fla I83 into the money-returning member I86.

The rotary movement of the spindle ii! is simultaneously transmitted, through the bevel wheels 59, the difierential gears 73 and 15, the pawl 82 and the ratchet wheel 84, to the spindle 86. This constrains the refund indicator 9'! to revolve by i an angle corresponding to 10=5 cents without, however, providing any further refunding of money and, in contradistinction, the money carried by the two money-collecting plates, 2i? and 2|, should be cashed. Consequently, after the 10-cent coin has dropped into the cup-shaped member H16 through which money is returned to the calling party, the spindle 5| revolves still further, until the cam plate 53 has opened the switches 55 and the coin-collecting plate 23 has thus finished its revolution by one slit interval.

As apparent from inspection of Fig. 2, the switch 94 is brought back into its inoperative position for this credit of 5 cents and it prepares the circuit for the cashing of the coins remaining on the plates and 2|. When the elementary switch 55 has returned into its inoperative position, it breaks the energizing circuit of the motor 6'! and of the brake-controlling electromagnet 63, so that the motor (ii is braked and brought to a standstill. The switch 55 provides, in contradistinction, for the energization of the electromagnet 592 through the following circuit:

Battery neutral pointswitch fi -switch 96--switch 5t -switch iii-switch 55 -switch NE -closed switch tl electromagnet H82 and return to the negative pole of the battery.

The energization of the electromagnet 562 (Fig. 1) shifts the flap Hi3 into the position closing the return of coins towards I36 and opening the coin-collecting box [31. At the same time, the electroinagnet Hi2 operates the switch system I85. Thus, the motors 67 and 68 are energized again through the circuits constituted as follows (Fig. 3)

Battery neutral point-switch Bt -closed switch WE -operative switch 28 -motor 67 and brake controlling electromagnet 63-switch and return to the negative pole of the battery, the other circuit being as follows:

Battery neutral pointswitch 3d --c1osed switch WS -operative switch RS motor 68 and brake-controlling electromagnet fie-switch 3 return to the negative pole of the battery.

On the other hand, the electromagnet 32 re- 10 mains self-energized through the following circuit:

Battery neutral pointswitch 39 --operative switch Iliu -closed switch 8| electromagnet ID2-and return to the negative pole of the battery.

The motors 6i and 68 (Fig. 1) drive their coincollecting plates 28 and El rearwardly in the direction opposed to the arrows 22 and 23, whereby the remaining coins drop in succession through the output openings 3s and 3! registering with the input slits in the plates, into the chutes I00 and 18!, whereby they slide over the shifted flap E E3 into the money-collecting box Mil. The total of the money thus cashed corresponds to the conversation charge plus the credit of 5 cents that is not paid back in the example disclosed.

During the return movement just described of the coin-collecting plates 29 and 2!, the alternating operation of the switches 28 and 55 on one hand and of the switches 23 and 55 on the other hand isrepeated, and each time a coin is removed out or" engagement with the switch 28 or 29, as the case may be, so as to break the corresponding circuit, the cam plate 53 or M has already closed the associated switch 56 or 5B and holds thus the corresponding motor 61' or 68 in its energized position.

After the last 10-cent coin has thus been collected, the motor 5? continues rotating only until the switch 5'5 opens its energizing circuit. As

there are now no more iii-cent coins in thecoincollecting plate 23, the switch 28 remains inoperative. The motor 6? receives no current through said switch and comes to a standstill under the braking efiect executed by the brake 6|.

The conditions of stopping are the samefor the motor 68, as soon as the last 25-cent coin has been cashed. The rearward angular movements of the coin-collecting plates 26 and 2! are transferred, in the manner already disclosed, to the cam plates 8i95 and to the indicator 9?. These cam plates and indicators accompany this return movement until the stud 58 on the plate fi'l-is brought to engage the stop ed on the plate 48, which occurs when the indicator has returned to zero. As, however, the coin-collecting plates 20 and 2! continue moving rearwardly, the pawl 82 slides over the cooperating ratchet wheel while the indicator 91 remains in its zero position.

During the cashing of the coins, the relay 8!] (Fig. 3) is alternatingly held energized through the switches 28 and 55 or 29 and 56 in the samemanner as disclosed with reference to the energization of the motors.

As soon as the last coin has been cashed by the apparatus, the switches 28 and 29 remain open and when, the rotation being at an endythe switches 55 and 56 also open, the relay is de-energized. Consequently, the switch 3 i controlled thereby opens and breaks the energizing circuit of the electromagnet Hi2.

Upon de-energization of the electromagnet 102, the nap Hi3 returns into the position illustrated under the action of the spring EM so that the whole apparatus returns into its inoperative position.

T e above described embodiment shows the manner of refunding two 25--cent coins and one iii-cent coin. It may also occur, however, that the calling party has introduced one 25-cent coin only, or even none at all. Considering this latter case and supposing there is again a credit of 65 cents to be paid back to the calling party, the switches 94 and 96 are both operative for this amount of 55 cents, as per Fig. 2. Now, as there have been introduced only lO-cent coins, the switch 23 is operative while the switch 29 is inoperative. When the telephone handset 35 is hung up on its hook at the end of the conversation, this closes the following circuit to be found in Fig. 3:

Battery neutral point-switch fi -operative switch 96switch MI -switch 5fi operative switch S-operative switch 28 -motor E7 and brake-controlling electromagnet 63switch 39 and return to the negative pole of the battery.

Consequently, the motor E7 is directly caused to start in order to return the 10-cent coins, and said return of coins continues in the manner already described.

In a modification wherein only -cent coins have been introduced into the apparatus, the difference with reference to the first example consists in the fact that after return of the second 25-cent coin, the cashing of the remainder is executed directly without any energizing of the motor on the IO-cent coin side. As readily ap-- parent from the diagram in Fig. 3, the switch 28 now inoperative, is responsible for this opening of the corresponding energizing circuit and thereby the electromagnet I02 is energized immediately when the switch 95 has been shifted after the money has been refunded into its rest position and the switch 55 has closed its Gil? cuit.

The same occurs when both types of coins have been introduced and, after refunding of the 25- cent coins, th remaining credit is less than 10 cents, as the switch 9A is then inoperative, so that the electromagnet I02 is energized again after the closing of the switch 56 However if, at the end of the conversation, there is still a charge to be paid by the calling party, no money should be refunded at all. The switches 94 and 913 are then both in their rest positions, as apparent from inspection of Fig. 2, while the switches 28 and 29 are operative. Consequently, if the handset of the telephone is replaced onto its hook and the switches 39 and 39 are actuated, the electromagnet m2 is immediately energized to operate the cashing of the coins through the following circuit:

Battery neutral pointswitch N -switch 96- switch 5'5 switch 94-switch Elfi -switch H35 closed switch 5! -electromagnet iEZ-and return to the negative pole of the battery.

The cashing of the coins is executed in the manner described with reference to the first example.

It often occurs that a conversation on the telephone cannot be obtained either because the called person is not present or because the subscribers line is busy.

In such a case, no charge impulse is sent by the exchange and the relay cannot become operative.

Now, if the telephone handset is hung up onto its hook by the calling party, the two motors run simultaneously over the following circuits respectively:

Battery neutral point-switch 39 switch BI -operative switch 28 motor 6'3 and brakecontrolling electromagnet 53-switch 39 and return to the negative pole of battery, and:

Battery neutral point-switch N -switch 8l switch 29 motor 58 and brake controlling electromagnet 54switch 39 and return to the negative pole of the battery.

The motors 61 and 68 rotate thereby in their reversed direction until no coin is to be found any more in the coin-collecting plates 2c and 2! and consequently the switches 28 and 29 are inop erative so that the above described motor-feeding circuits are broken and the apparatus returns into inoperativeness. Thus, the coins introduced by the calling party into the apparatus have been refunded to him.

With the improved method disclosed at the beginning of the specification and concerning the manner of defining the charges through the periodical transmission of recurrent impulses, it may be desired to require for the actual cbtention of the connection a standard fee. This may be obtained very simply through an angular shifting of the cam plates 5? to by a corresponding amount with reference to the zero position. The indicator 9'! and the stud 5% should however remain in zero position.

A modification of the charge to be paid for each charge impulse is also obtainable through a corresponding modification of the ratio of the transmission gear between the impulse relay 7B and the differential gear 15.

What we claim is:

1. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange office is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has been achieved, a pivotal hook, a telephone handset carried thereby, a plurality of coin-collecting members adapted to receive each a large number of coins of uniform face value, a motor associated with each coin-collecting member and adapted each time a coin is introduced into the corresponding coin-collecting member to revolve by a predetermined angle, a device fed by the incoming tax impulses the rhythm of which depends on the area with which communication has been established, an indicator submitted to the action in opposite directions of the angular movements of the diii'erent motors, on one hand, and of the impulse-operated device on the other hand, said indicator showing at every moment the diiierence between said angular movements corresponding to the difference between the total amount of coins paid into the coin-collecting members and the charge owing defined by said incoming impulses, a collecting box, a coin-refunding channel, means controlled by hanging the telephone handset onto its hook for allowing the successive dropping into said channel of the coins carried by the different coin-collecting members, chutes feeding coins from the cOimcollecting members into the collecting box and the coin" refunding channel, a guiding member assuming two positions adapted to deflect the coins from said chutes respectively into the collecting box and into the coin-refunding channel, means whereby the indicator stops the refunding of the money from the different coin-collecting members as soon as the indication on the indicator has dropped underneath corresponding predetermined values and thereafter shifts said guiding member from the second position into the first position and provides for the dropping of the remaining coins from all the coin-collecting members through the chute into the collecting box.

2. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has'been achieved, aplurality of coin-collecting members adapted to receive each a large number of coins of uniform face value, a motor associated with each coin-collecting member to revolve each time a coin is introduced into the corresponding coin-collecting member by a predetermined angle, a device fed by the said reeurrent tax'irnpulses and adapted to revolve by an angle proportional to the number of impulses, a 'diiferential system forming the difference between the sum of values proportional. to the angular rotations of the motor on one hand and the angle travelled over by the impulse-operated device on the other hand, an ind'cator controlled by said differential system to show at every mo- 'ment the difference between the total of coins paid into the coin-collecting members and the total charge defined by the said recurrent tax impulses, means whereby, at the end of the conversation, the coins in the different coin-collecting members are refunded to the operator and means controlled by the return of the indicator through apredetermined value to stop said refunding of money, and a collecting box adapted to cash the remaining coins after the coin refunding operation is at an end.

3. In a prepayment station for automatic te1e- "phone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recur- "rent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has been achieved, a plurality of coin-collecting members adapted to receive each a large number of coins of uniform face value, a motor associated with each coin-collecting member ant. adapted, "each time a coin is introduced into the corre 'sponding coin-collecting member, to revolve by a predetermined angle, a device fed by said recurrent tax impulses and adapted to revolve by an angle proportional to the number of impulses, *a diiferential system forming the difference between the sum of the angular rotations of the motors on one hand and the angle travelled over by the impulse-operated device on the other hand, an indicator controlled by said differential system to show at every moment the diiference between the total money paid into the coin-collecting members the total charge defined by the said recurrent tax impulses, means whereby,

at the end of the conversation, the coins in the diiferent coin-collecting members are refunded to the operator and means controlled by the re 'turn of the indicator through a value corresponding to the value of the coins introduced into each coin-collecting member to stop the coin refund- 'ing from said member and a collecting box adapted to receive the coins remaining in the coin-collecting members after this coin refunding opera" *tion is at an end.

4. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has been achieved, a plurality of coin-collecting -members adapted to receive each a large number of coins of uniform face value, a motor associated with each coin-collecting member to revolve by a predetermined angle, each time a coin is introduced inside said member, a device fed by 'the said recurrent tax impulses and adapted to revolve by an angle proportional to the number of impulses, a differential system forming the difference between the sum of the angular rotations "of the'motor, on one hand, and the angle travelled over by the impulse-operated device, on the'other hand, an indicator controlled by'said differential system to show at every moment the difference between thetotal of coins paid into the coin-collecting members and the total charge defined by the said recurrent tax impulses, means whereby, at the end of the conversation, the coins having the highest face value are refunded to the operator, means controlled by the return of the indicator through a value corresponding to said highest face value and adapted to stop said refund of coins to the operator and to cause the refund to the operatorof the coins of the next highest face value from the corresponding coincollecting member, means controlled by the return of the indicator through said next highest face value and adapted to stop said refund of coins of next highest face value and to continue this refund of coins from the following coin-collecting members in the d creasing order of their face values, each refund being stopped by the passing of the indicator through the corresponding face value, means controlled by the return of the indicator through a value corresponding to the lowest face value and adapted to stop the coin refunding from the corresponding coin-collecting member and a collecting box adapted to receive the remaining coins from all the coincollecting members after this stopping of the refunding to the operator of said lowest face value coins.

5. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a plurality of rotary coin-collecting members provided with a large number of radial slits adapted to receive corresponding coins of a uniform face value for each coin-collecting member, means feeding a slit assuming a predetermined angular position in space in the corresponding coin-collecting member, means whereby the introduction of a coin into each coin-co1- lectingmember produces an angular movement thereof proportional to the angular distance between successive slits, means transforming said angular movements into movements proportional to the face values of the corresponding coins, means submitted to said recurrent tax impulses defining the charge owing and revolving by an angle proportional to said recurrent impulses, an

indicator submitted to the antagonistic action of last two mentioned means, said indicator showing at every'moment the difference between the total of coins paid into the different com collecting members and the charge owing defined by the said recurrent impulses.

6. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has been achieved, a plurality of coin-collecting members provided with a large number of radial slits adapted to receive corresponding coins of a uniform face value that is uniform for each coin-- collecting member, a stationary plate carrying each a coin-collecting member and provided with a radial opening, means adapted to feed a coin into the slit registering with said opening in each coin-collecting member, an electric motor associated with each coin-collecting member, means whereby the dropping of a coin through the 7 coin-feeding means into the corresponding coincollecting memberproduces the energization of said motor, means whereby the energization of each motor produces an angular movement of the corresponding coin-collecting member by an amount corresponding to the interval between two slits thereon, an indicator submitted to the action of said recurrent taX impulses defining the charge owing, means whereby the diiierent motors act in a direction opposed to that exerted by the said recurrent impulses to shift said indicator back by amounts proportional to the face values of the corresponding coins each time a coin enters a coin-collecting member slit registering with the opening in the underlying plate, said indicator showing consequently at every moment the difference between t -e total amount of coins paid into the diiierent coin-collecting members and the charge owing, means whereby the openings in the difierent stationary plates are closed during conversation and are uncovered after conversation and means whereby the indicator controls, when the conversation is at an end the refunding to the operator of the unspent coins carried by the coin-collecting member and the cashing of the remaining coins.

7. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses over the subscribers line as soon as a connection with the called party has been achieved, a plurality of coin-collecting members provided with a large number of radial slits adapted to receive corresponding coins of a face value, uniform for each coin-collecting member, a stationary plate carrying each a ooin-collecting member and provided with a radial opening, means adapted to feed a coin into the slit registering with said opening in each coin-collecting member, an electric motor associated with each coin-collecting member, means whereby the dropping of a coin through the coin-feeding means into the corresponding coin-collecting member produces the energization of said motor, means whereby the energization of each motor produces an angular movement of the corresponding coin-collecting member by an amount corresponding to the interval between two slits thereon, an indicator submitted to the action of said recurrent tax impulses defining the charge owing, means whereby the different motors act in a direction opposed to that exerted by the said recurrent impulses to shift said indicator back by amounts proportional to the face values of the corresponding coin each time a coin enters a coin-collecting member slit registering with the opening in the underlying plate, said indicator showing consequently at every moment the difference between the total of coins paid into the diiierent coin collecting members and the charge owing, a telephone hook adapted to pivot round a stationary axis, pusher members engaging the openings round said stationary plate during conversation and adapted to recede and to uncover said openings upon hanging up of the hook at the end of the conversation, a channel fed by each opening to collect the coin passing through the slit registering with the uncovered opening, means whereby the motors controlling the different rotary members are energised in the direction opposed to that produced previous y upon taking down of the hook to make the difierent coin-carrying slits in the corresponding rotary member register in succession with the opening in the stationary plate and drop the coins into the channel, means controlled by the passage of the indicator submitted to the rearward action of the motors, through values corresponding to the successive face values of the coins in the coincollecting members associated with the successively energized motors, to close the channels fed thereby, a collecting box adapted to be connected with said channels upon closing of the latter and means controlled by the indicator when it drops through the lowest coin face value and adapted to provide for the transfer of the coins remaining in the collecting members into said collecting box.

8. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systen s of the character described in which the exchange adapted to transmit recurrent impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a plurality of rotary coin-collecting members provided with a number of radial slits adapted to receive corresponding coins of a uniform face value for each coin-collecting member, means for feeding a slit in each coin-collecting member assuming a predetermined location in space with coins of corresponding face value, an electric motor controlling each coin-collecting member, a circuit energizing said motor, a switch in said circuit closed by the engagement of a coin in the slit registering with the coin-feeding means to produce the starting of th motor in a predetermined direction as soon as said coin has entered the slit, a further switch inserted in parall l with the first switch and adapted to energiZe said circuit before the coin has passed out of reach of the first switch upon rotation of the motor to maintain the energization of the motor until the next slit has come into register with the ccin-feedi11g means, an indicator submitted to the action of said recurrent tax impulses defining the charge owing, means whereby the angular shifting of each motor by an angle corresponding to the interval between two slits shifts said indicator back by an amount proportional to the face value of the corresponding coin, said indicator showing at every moment the difference between the total amount of coins paid into the difierent coin-collecting members and the charge owing, means whereby, at the end of the conversation, the coins in the slits of the different coin-collecting members are refunded in succession, slit after slit and member after member, in the order of decreasing face values until the indicator passes for each member in succession through a position corresponding to the face value of said member, and means for collecting the remaining coins.

9. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a plurality of coin-collecting members adapted to receive each a large number of coins of uniform face value, a motor associated with each coin-colecting member to revolve by a predetermined angle for each coin introduction, a device ted by the said recurrent tax impulses and adapted to revolve by an angle proportional to the number of impulses, a diiferei tial system forming the difference between the of values proportional to the angular rotations of the motor, on one hand, and the angle rotated by the impulse-operated device, on the other hand, an indicator controlled by said diiierential system to show at every moment the diiierence between the total of coins paid into the coin-collecting members and the total charge by the said recurrent tax impulses, a spring acting on the differential system adapted to cut out the clearances therein and to further the operation of the impulse-operated device, means whereby, at the end of the conversation, the coins in the different coin-collecting ,members are refunded to the operator and means controlled by the return of the indicator through a predetermined value to stop said refund of coins, and a collecting box adapted to receive the remaining coins after the coin refunding operation is at an end.

10. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a plurality of rotary coin-collecting members provided each with a number of recesses adapted to receive each a coin of a corresponding face value, a channel adapted to feed coins into the recess of the corresponding coin-collecting member that registers with said channel, an electric motor operatively connected with each rotary coin-collecting member, a cam controlled by said motor, a supply of energy, circuit means adapted to connect each motor selectively for forward and for rearward operation with said supply, means controlled by the beginning and by the end of a telephone connection to prepare the circuit means respectively for forward and return operation of the motors, two switches arranged in parallel in the portion of the circuit means 1 providing for forward operation of each motor and controlled respectively by the presence of a coin in the recess registering with the feed channel and by the cam, said cam being adapted to hold the forward circuit means closed upon starting of the motor until the next recess reached in the forward direction of progression registers 7 with the feed channel, a switch controlled by the coin in the recess preceding that registering with the feed channel during return movement and adapted to energize the corresponding motor in the return direction, differential means controlled positively and in parallel by the different motors, a relay controlled by said recurrent charge impulses and controlling the differential in a direction opposed to that provided by the forwardly operating motors, an indicator controlled by the differential and showing at every moment the difference between the total amount of coin values introduced into the recesses of the different coin-collecting members and the total charge defined by the said recurrent impulses, means of the different motors after the connection is at an end provides for the refund of the coins to the operator from the corresponding coin-collecting member recesses in the succession of the order of decreasing values, means whereby the passage of the indicator through values corresponding to the face values of the coins in the different members stops the return movement of the corresponding motors and means for collecting the coins remaining in the different members after the rotations of the corresponding motors have been stopped through the passage of the indicator through the corresponding face values.

11. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adapted to transmit recurrent tax impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a plurality of rotary coin-collecting members provided each with a number of recesses adapted to receive each a coin of a cor- 18 responding face value, a channel adapted to feed coins into the recess of the corresponding coin- ,collecting member that registers with said channel, an electric motor operatively connected with each rotary coin-collecting member, a cam controlled by said motor, a supply of energy, circuit means adapted to connect each motor selectively for forward and for rearward operation with said supply, means controlled by the beginning and by the end of a telephone conversation to prepare the circuit means respectively for forward and return operation of the motors, two switches arranged in parallel in different portions of the circuit, means for providing for forward operation of each motor and controlled respectively by the presence of a coin in the recess registering with the feed channel and by the cam, said cam being adapted to hold the forward circuit means closed upon starting of the motor until the next recess reached in the forward direction of progression registers with the feed channel, a switch controlled by the coin in the recess preceding that registering with the feed channel during return movement and adapted to energize the corresponding motor in the return direction, differential means controlled positively and in parallel by the different motors, transmission gears inserted between the motors and the differential means and the ratio of which is proportional to the face values of the corresponding coins, a relay controlled by said recurrent charge impulses and controlling the differential in a direction opposed to that provided by the forwardly operating motors, an indicator controlled by the differential and showing at every moment the difference between the total amount of coin values introduced into the recesses of the different coin-collecting members and the total charge defined by the said recurrent impulses, means whereby the energization of each circuit portion providing for the return of a motor, opens the corresponding circuit of the succeeding motors, a coin collecting box, money returning means, a chute operatively connected with the recess registering in each rotary member with the coin-feeding means,

guiding means adapted to connect the different chutes selectively with the collecting box and with the coin refunding means, an electromagnet controlling said guiding means, means whereby the successive return movements of the different motors after the connection is at an end provides for the return of the coins to the coin refunding means through the chutes from the corresponding coin-collecting member recesses in the succession of the order of decreasing values, means whereby the passage of the indicator through values corresponding to the face values of the coins in the different members stops the return movement of the corresponding motors and means whereby the passage of the indicator through the last face value energizes the electromagnet and starts the rotation of the different motors to complete their return movement and to empty the coins remaining in the recesses through the chute into the collecting box.

12. In a prepayment station for automatic telephone systems of the character described in which the exchange is adaptedv to transmit recurrent tax impulses since the beginning of the conversation, a telephone hook shifted into opposed positions by the calling and the end of the call, a plurality of rotary coin-collecting plates provided with equidistant radial slits, channels adapted to feed coins of different face values to a slit in the corresponding coin-collecting plate,

19 a pusher member adapted to engage the underside of the slit registering with each coin-feeding channel and urged out of its slit-closing position through the shifting of the hook at the end of a telephone connection, means closing permanently the other slits in the rotary plate, a motor actuating each rotary plate, a double circuit energizing each motor respectively for forward and rearward operation, a switch inserted in the forward circuit and closed by the coin in the slit registering with the feed channel corresponding thereto, an auxiliary switch holding the forward circuit closed to complete the rotation of the corresponding motor by one interval between two slits of the plate, a switch in the return circuit of each motor controlled by the coin in the slit preceding the slit registering with the feed channel upon return movement, an impulse meter for the said recurrent tax impulses, a gear controlled by each motor and the ratio of which is proportional to the face value of the corresponding coin, an indicator controlled differentially by the rotations of the different gears, on one hand, and the impulse meter, on the other, to show at every moment the difference between the amount corresponding to the coins inserted in the different plates and the charge corresponding to the said recurrent impulses, means controlled by the hook for completing the forward or rearward motor energizing circuits respectively when the connection is on and 01f, cams controlled by the indicator and adapted, when the indicator returns rearwardly through the values corresponding to the face values of the different coins, to open the return circuits of the corresponding motors, coinrefunding means adapted to collect the coins dropping out of the slits upon return movement of the motors and plates in succession and means for resuming the return movements of the motors and plates and collecting the remaining coins after opening of the diiferent last-mentioned cam-controlled switches.

13. In a prepayment station as claimed in claim 12, the provision of means controlled by the shifting of the hook and including a stop for the indicator upon its return movement, said stop being shifted aside by an angle corresponding to the face value of one coin during the actual connection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,626,807 Gardner May 3, 1927 2,000,804 Wehren May 7, 1935 2,082,551 Appelius June 1, 1937 2,224,702 Seidel Dec. 10, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 699,090 Germany Nov. 22, 1940 699,091 Germany Nov. 22, 1940 

